Flights Disrupted at Newark Liberty International Airport Following FAA Equipment Glitch

NEWARK, N.J. - A sudden ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Thursday afternoon disrupted incoming flights after a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) equipment malfunction affected air traffic control radio frequencies.

At approximately 11:53 a.m. EDT, the FAA issued a ground stop for all inbound traffic to EWR, citing malfunctioning radio equipment that impeded clear communications between controllers and approaching aircraft. Departures were not initially halted, but airlines were advised to delay flights bound for Newark or hold them at altitude until controllers could confirm safety protocols were restored.

By 12:15 p.m., the FAA announced that repairs had been made and flights were permitted to resume approaches; however, arrival rates remained below normal as controllers conducted system checks and implemented contingency procedures. Passengers on diverted or delayed flights reported holding patterns over New Jersey and New York airspace lasting up to 90 minutes.

Airlines serving EWR-one of the busiest hubs in the New York metropolitan region-warned travelers of potential knock-on delays and advised checking flight status online before traveling to the airport. Newark Liberty’s operator activated additional customer-service staff to assist stranded passengers and rebook connections.

This incident marks the second radio-related interruption at Newark in under 24 hours, underscoring rising concerns over equipment reliability at critical FAA facilities ahead of the Labor Day weekend travel surge. The FAA has launched an investigation into the root cause of the glitch and will issue a full report once all affected systems have been thoroughly evaluated.

Travelers seeking updates can monitor the FAA’s real-time airport status page or contact their airline directly for the latest rebooking options and estimated departure times. No injuries or aircraft emergencies were reported in connection with the disruption.